According to the Metro, Arsenal only opted to sign Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi as they weren’t willing to meet the asking price for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Omer Toprak. The highly-rated Bundesliga defender is reportedly available for £40M, but the Gunners instead have opted for a player £5M less in Mustafi after agreeing personal terms.

At one point this summer, it did look like Toprak would the defender coming in as the Mustafi deal stalled over a transfer fee, but now the German international has all but signed ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash. Toprak is three years Mustafi’s senior, but has developed into a top central defender with Leverkusen over the years. .......Read more here.....

With Shkodran Mustafi’s long awaited move to Arsenal hitting a bump in the road as the two clubs appear to be unable to agree on a transfer fee, north London club Arsenal are lining up possible defensive alternatives.

German international Mustafi remains the priority for Arsene Wenger, but the Gunners have already identified two alternatives should a deal for Valencia defender collapse.

According to Sky Sports, Bayern Leverkusen and Fenerbahce defenders Omer Toprak and Simon Kjaer have both been lined up as potential solutions for Arsenal’s defensive woes. .......Read more here.....

As another inquest commences on an opening weekend defeat for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger’s poor transfer policy, Sky Sports have decided to give Gunners fans to false hope that the club may actually try and sign a centre-back.

On Monday night, (yes, I know a bit late!) Sky was reporting that Arsenal were showing an interest in Bayer Leverkusen star Omer Toprak and Fenerbahce centre-back Simon Kjaer.

This comes after reports that Arsene Wenger is looking behind the back of his sofa for money to put towards a deal to sign Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi. I bet Wenger has lost the club wallet again. .......Read more here.....